„2000 Light Years from Home“ is a song from The Rolling Stones‚ 1967 psychedelic rock album Their Satanic Majesties Request. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, it also appeared as the B-side to the American single „She’s a Rainbow„, and charted as a single in Germany. Jagger reportedly wrote the lyrics in Brixton prison following his conviction on drug charges in June 1967. The working title of the instrumental backing was „Toffee Apple“. The prominent string part is played by Brian Jones on mellotron.
The number was regularly featured during the Stones’ 1989-90 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tours; until 1997, when „She’s a Rainbow“ was also added to the band’s stage repertoire, it was the only track from Satanic Majesties that the band had performed in concert.
After disappearing from setlists completely for 23 years, „2000 Light Years from Home“ was performed on 29 June 2013 at Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom.
The song is used in the film Men in Black 3.
Sun turnin‘ ‚round with graceful motion
We’re setting off with soft explosion
Bound for a star with fiery oceans
It’s so very lonely
You’re a 100 light years from home
Freezing red deserts turn to dark
Energy here in every part
It’s so very lonely
You’re 600 light years from home
It’s so very lonely
You’re a 1000 light years from home
It’s so very lonely
You’re a 1000 light years from home
Bell flight 14 you now can land
See you on Aldebaran
Safe on the green desert sand
It’s so very lonely
You’re 2000 light years from home
It’s so very lonely
You’re 2000 light years from home
Songwriters
JAGGER, MICK / RICHARDS, KEITH
Published by
Lyrics © ABKCO Music Inc.
- Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, percussion
- Brian Jones– Mellotron
- Keith Richards – electric guitar, backing vocals
- Bill Wyman – bass guitar
- Charlie Watts: drums
- Additional personnel
- Nicky Hopkins – intro/outro piano